Theophanes Kerameus
Encyclopedia
Theophanes Kerameus (1129–1152) was bishop of Rossano, in Calabria
, Italy, and a celebrated homiletic writer.
His sermons, ninety-one of which are known in manuscript, are mostly exegetical, and written in Greek, which was then still extensively spoken in Sicily
and Southern Italy. They are simple and natural, and are masterpieces of oratorical skill, lucid and unforced expositions of biblical texts.
They were first edited, together with a Latin translation and extensive annotations, by Francesco Scorso, S.J. (Paris, 1644), which edition is reprinted in Patrologia Graeca
, CXXXII, 125-1078. A new edition was prepared by Gregory Palamas
(Jerusalem, 1860).
The fact that various other individuals also bore the surname "Kerameus" has given rise to a controversy concerning the authorship of these homilies. Scorso, their first editor, supposed Theophanes Kerameus to have lived in the ninth century and to have been Bishop of Taormina
in Sicily. Pierre Batiffol
, in his work entitled "L'abbaye de Rossano" (Paris, 1891), XXXI, 36-56, held that part of the homilies were written by the Calabrian monk John Philagathos, a disciple of Abbot Bartholomaeus of Grottaferrata (d. c. 1050).
Calabria
Calabria , in antiquity known as Bruttium, is a region in southern Italy, south of Naples, located at the "toe" of the Italian Peninsula. The capital city of Calabria is Catanzaro....
, Italy, and a celebrated homiletic writer.
His sermons, ninety-one of which are known in manuscript, are mostly exegetical, and written in Greek, which was then still extensively spoken in Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
and Southern Italy. They are simple and natural, and are masterpieces of oratorical skill, lucid and unforced expositions of biblical texts.
They were first edited, together with a Latin translation and extensive annotations, by Francesco Scorso, S.J. (Paris, 1644), which edition is reprinted in Patrologia Graeca
Patrologia Graeca
The Patrologia Graeca is an edited collection of writings by the Christian Church Fathers and various secular writers, in the ancient Koine or medieval variants of the Greek language. It consists of 161 volumes produced in 1857–1866 by J. P. Migne's Imprimerie Catholique...
, CXXXII, 125-1078. A new edition was prepared by Gregory Palamas
Gregory Palamas
Gregory Palamas was a monk of Mount Athos in Greece and later the Archbishop of Thessaloniki known as a preeminent theologian of Hesychasm. The teachings embodied in his writings defending Hesychasm against the attack of Barlaam are sometimes referred to as Palamism, his followers as Palamites...
(Jerusalem, 1860).
The fact that various other individuals also bore the surname "Kerameus" has given rise to a controversy concerning the authorship of these homilies. Scorso, their first editor, supposed Theophanes Kerameus to have lived in the ninth century and to have been Bishop of Taormina
Taormina
Taormina is a comune and small town on the east coast of the island of Sicily, Italy, in the Province of Messina, about midway between Messina and Catania. Taormina has been a very popular tourist destination since the 19th century...
in Sicily. Pierre Batiffol
Pierre Batiffol
Pierre Batiffol was a prominent French catholic priest and Church historian, known particularly as a historian of dogma....
, in his work entitled "L'abbaye de Rossano" (Paris, 1891), XXXI, 36-56, held that part of the homilies were written by the Calabrian monk John Philagathos, a disciple of Abbot Bartholomaeus of Grottaferrata (d. c. 1050).